2012 Game-By-Game: Week 9

In Week 9 of the 2012 season, the Broncos travel to Cincinnati to take on a young and steadily improving Bengals team.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Over the next few weeks, DenverBroncos.com will take a look at the team's 2012 schedule week-by-week, including a look at the last time the teams faced off, what to watch for this season and more.

Below is a closer look at the Broncos' Week 9 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Bengals could be without their leading rusher from 2011 as Cedric Benson remains a free agent and seems unlikely to re-sign with Cincinnati. That would mean new free agent pickup and former Patriot BenJarvus Green-Ellis would shoulder most of the workload.

Also, keep an eye on a few of the Bengals draft picks. Seventeenth overall pick Dre Kirkpatrick is expected to make an immediate impact at cornerback, while third- and fifth-round selections Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones -- both wide receivers -- will look to replace Jerome Simspon and Andre Caldwell, who is now a Bronco.

KEY MATCHUP: Champ Bailey vs. A.J. GreenThe Bengals' second-year receiver A.J. Green is surely their most dangerous weapon. In his rookie campaign, Green caught 65 pases for more than 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns. His 11 catches of 35 yards or more led the NFL in 2011, proving his big-play ability to be a dangerous threat in this matchup. This offseason, Green has said he's been working out with veteran Pro Bowl receiver Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals.

While Green is looking to put himself in the class of the NFL's most elite wide receivers in his second year in the league, Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey has been in that class at his position for more than a decade. The 14-year veteran will look to prove experience trumps youth in a matchup of two Pro Bowlers from last year.

NOTES: This will be the 27th time the two teams square off…In 2011, the Broncos beat the Bengals for John Fox's first win as the team's head coach…Also in that game, current Bronco Andre Caldwell scored a touchdown as a member of the Bengals...Caldwell signed with Denver during offseason free agency.